My grandfather in WWI was about to be thrown overboard because of the illness. God had other plans.
and, wualla, you here! :-)
My grandfather volunteered, went through basic training, was sent to France where he caught the Spanish Flu, and then spent the final days of the war in a French hospital. Armistice was declared and he spent a few weeks patrolling at the front after the shooting had stopped and then was put on a transport back home.
Wow!
My Dad went over and arrived in France the day after the Armistice was signed.
Being an educated guy, they gave him a job in the General’s office, cashiering out the troops who were going home.
He was 18 years old.
He got to come home in July, 1919.
Just in time for Prohibition!